U.S. patent number 5,449,227 [Application Number 08/272,062] was granted by the patent office on 1995-09-12 for solenoid attachment for antilock brake system.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Ford Motor Company. Invention is credited to James P. Golden, Stephen R. Steinberg, Sim Vibora.
United States Patent |
5,449,227 |
Steinberg , et al. |
September 12, 1995 |
Solenoid attachment for antilock brake system
Abstract
A solenoid attachment for a vehicle antilock brake system. The
solenoid attachment includes a coil pack housing (10) having
leadframes (12) electrically connecting to a circuit board (22) of
the electronic control unit (24). The solenoid attachment also
includes a plurality of solenoid assemblies (26). Each solenoid
assembly (26) includes coil windings (48) and a bobbin (46)
contained within a can (52). A retention ring (58), including
retention snaps (60), is associated with each solenoid assembly
(26) for removably retaining each solenoid assembly (26) in the
coil pack housing (10). Each solenoid assembly (26) is further
mounted to an elastomeric gasket (56) that both seals about an
adjustment gap (53), open to the electronic circuit board (22), and
biases the solenoid assembly (26) against its corresponding valve
(40). A sealing mechanism (66, 98) is provided with each valve
assembly (26) for sealing around an associated valve stem (42).
Inventors: |
Steinberg; Stephen R.
(Brighton, MI), Vibora; Sim (Royal Oak, MI), Golden;
James P. (Santa Clara, CA) |
Assignee: |
Ford Motor Company (Dearborn,
MI)
|
Family
ID: |
23038240 |
Appl.
No.: |
08/272,062 |
Filed: |
July 8, 1994 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
303/119.2;
251/129.15; 335/278 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60T
8/3675 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B60T
8/36 (20060101); B60T 008/32 () |
Field of
Search: |
;303/119.2,119.1,113.1
;251/129.15,129.01 ;137/884,596.17,343 ;439/34,13
;335/278,202,260,281 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Butler; Douglas C.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Wilkinson; Donald A. May; Roger
L.
Claims
We claim:
1. A solenoid assembly coil pack for use in integrated electronics
and hydraulics assemblies of an automotive antilock brake system
comprising:
a coil pack housing provided with a plurality of generally
cylindrical bores therethrough and attachment means for securing
the coil pack to the electronics assembly, with each bore including
a solenoid retaining member;
a plurality of solenoid assemblies, each adapted to receive a
respective valve and valve stem of the hydraulics assembly and each
received within a corresponding one of the cylindrical bores, each
solenoid assembly including a pair of solenoid lead wires
protruding therefrom;
a plurality of retention rings, with one of the rings cooperatively
engaging each of the solenoid assemblies, and with each retention
ring including retention means for removably engaging the retaining
member to removably retain its corresponding solenoid assembly
therein;
a plurality of gaskets, with one of the gaskets mounted between
each of the coil pack housings and its corresponding solenoid
assembly;
sealing means adapted for sealing between each solenoid assembly
and associated valve stem of the hydraulics assembly; and
electrical means for electrically connecting each of the solenoid
lead wires of the solenoid assemblies to the electronics
assembly.
2. A solenoid assembly coil pack according to claim 1 wherein the
electrical means comprises a plurality of leadframes mounted within
the housing in contact with the solenoid lead wires, and a blade
connector affixed to the housing and electrically connected between
the electronics assembly and the leadframes.
3. A solenoid assembly coil pack according to claim 2 wherein the
leadframes are integrally molded into the housing.
4. A solenoid assembly coil pack according to claim 1 wherein the
attachment means further provides means for removing the coil pack
from and re-securing it to the electronics assembly.
5. A solenoid assembly coil pack according to claim 1 wherein each
solenoid assembly further comprises a bobbin having coil windings
thereabout and mounted within a coil can, with the bobbin and coil
can including a bore forming a cylindrical cavity adapted for
receiving the valve stem of the hydraulic assembly.
6. A solenoid assembly coil pack according to claim 5 wherein the
sealing means comprises a plurality of O-rings, with one of the
O-rings mounted within each of the cylindrical cavities and adapted
to sealingly engage about the associated valve stem of the
hydraulics assembly.
7. A solenoid assembly coil pack according to claim 5 wherein each
coil can is provided with guide rails that are received within its
respective cylindrical bore for alignment of each of the solenoid
assemblies relative to the coil pack housing.
8. A solenoid assembly coil pack according to claim 1 wherein the
sealing means comprises a plurality of solenoid cap members, with
one of the cap members affixed to each retention ring and adapted
to sealingly surround an associated valve stem of the hydraulics
assembly.
9. A solenoid assembly coil pack according to claim 1 wherein a gap
is provided between each solenoid assembly and its corresponding
cylindrical bore thereby adapted to allow for alignment of each of
the solenoid assemblies with its associated valve stem of the
hydraulic assembly.
10. A solenoid assembly coil pack according to claim 1 wherein the
retention means of the retention rings comprise a plurality of
retention snaps, at least one protruding from each retention ring,
with each retention snap including a barb protruding therefrom for
engagement with its associated solenoid retaining member.
11. An integrated solenoid system for an automotive antilock brake
system comprising:
an electronics assembly including a circuit board and a connector
mounted thereon;
a hydraulics assembly including a plurality of valves, each of the
valves having a valve stem protruding therefrom;
a coil pack housing provided with a plurality of generally
cylindrical bores therethrough and attachment means for securing
the coil pack to the circuit board, with each bore including a
solenoid retaining member;
a plurality of solenoid assemblies, each received within a
corresponding one of the cylindrical bores and mounted about a
corresponding valve stem, each solenoid assembly including a pair
of solenoid lead wires protruding therefrom;
a plurality of retention rings, with one of the rings cooperatively
engaging each of the solenoid assemblies, and with each retention
ring including at least one retention snap protruding therefrom,
with each retention snap including a barb protruding therefrom for
engagement with the solenoid retaining member in each bore in the
coil pack housing for removably engaging the retaining member to
removably retain the corresponding solenoid assembly therein;
a plurality of gaskets, with one of the gaskets mounted between
each of the coil pack housings and its corresponding solenoid
assembly;
sealing means secured between each solenoid assembly and associated
valve stem; and
electric means for electrically connecting each of the solenoid
lead wires to the connector of the electric assembly.
12. An integrated solenoid system according to claim 11 wherein the
electrical means comprises a plurality of leadframes mounted within
the housing and in contact with the solenoid lead wires, and a
blade connector, affixed to the housing, electrically connected to
the leadframes and mated electrically to the connector mounted on
the circuit board.
13. An integrated solenoid system according to claim 12 wherein
each solenoid assembly further comprises a bobbin having coil
windings thereabout and mounted within a coil can, with each bobbin
and coil can including a bore forming a cylindrical cavity that
receives its associated valve stem.
14. An integrated solenoid system according to claim 13 wherein the
sealing means comprises a plurality of O-rings, with one of the
O-rings mounted within each of the cylindrical cavities and
sealingly engaged about its associated valve stem.
15. An integrated solenoid system according to claim 14 wherein a
gap is provided between each of the solenoid assemblies and its
corresponding cylindrical bore to thereby account for tolerances
during alignment of each of the solenoid assemblies with its
associated valve stem.
16. An integrated solenoid system for an automotive antilock brake
system comprising:
an electronics assembly including a circuit board and a connector
mounted thereon;
a hydraulics assembly including a plurality of valves, each of the
valves having a valve stem protruding therefrom;
a coil pack housing provided with a plurality of generally
cylindrical bores therethrough and attachment means for securing
the coil pack to the circuit board, with each bore including a
solenoid retaining member;
a plurality of solenoid assemblies, each received within a
corresponding one of the cylindrical bores such that an alignment
gap is formed between each cylindrical bore and its associated
solenoid assembly, with each solenoid assembly mounted about a
corresponding valve stem and including a pair of solenoid lead
wires protruding therefrom;
a plurality of retention rings, with one of the rings cooperatively
engaging each of the solenoid assemblies, and with each retention
ring including at least one retention snap protruding therefrom,
with each retention snap including a barb protruding therefrom for
engagement with the solenoid retaining member in each bore in the
coil pack housing for removably engaging the retaining member to
removably retain the corresponding solenoid assembly therein;
a plurality of gaskets, with one of the gaskets mounted between
each of the coil pack housings and its corresponding solenoid
assembly;
sealing means secured between each solenoid assembly and associated
valve stem; and
a plurality of leadframes mounted within the housing and in contact
with the solenoid lead wires;
a blade connector, affixed to the housing, electrically connected
to the leadframes and mated electrically to the connector mounted
on the circuit board.
17. An integrated solenoid system according to claim 16 wherein
each solenoid assembly further comprises a bobbin having coil
windings thereabout and mounted within a coil can, with each bobbin
and coil can including a bore forming a cylindrical cavity that
receives its associated valve stem.
18. An integrated solenoid system according to claim 17 wherein the
sealing means comprises a plurality of O-rings, with one of the
O-rings mounted within each of the cylindrical cavities and
sealingly engaged about its associated valve stem.
19. An integrated solenoid system according to claim 17 wherein
each coil can is provided with guide rails that are received within
its respective cylindrical bore for alignment of each of the
solenoid assemblies relative to the coil pack housing.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to solenoid coil assemblies and more
particularly to the packaging of solenoid coil assemblies for use
with an automotive antilock braking system.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The state-of-the-art in antilock brake systems involves the
integration of the electronic control assembly with the brake
system's solenoid valve assemblies and hydraulic control unit. Some
prior designs have solenoid valve assemblies press-fit onto valve
stems in a separate hydraulic control unit. This assembly is, in
turn, connected to an electronic controller via a wiring
harness.
For an integral assembly, the solenoid assemblies must be assembled
into the electronic assembly before being mated to hydraulic valve
stems in order to form a magnetic interconnect. Because of this
integration, it is no longer feasible to press-fit an assembly of
solenoid assemblies onto the valve stems. Some adjustability or
tolerance, which allows for motion of the individual solenoid
assemblies relative to their respective valve stems, is needed so
that tolerances between the locations of the valve stems can be
accounted for. Also, a bias or force must be exerted by each
solenoid assembly toward its respective valve to both insure a
continuous magnetic path and to prevent rattling when the solenoid
assemblies are actuated and when they are subjected to vehicle
vibrations. Further, with an integrated system, there needs to be a
seal between each of the solenoid assemblies and the electronic
assembly to prevent moisture and other contaminants from entering
the assembly.
Current integrated antilock brake systems typically account for
tolerances and sealing of the electronics when forming the
integrated assembly by having the solenoid assemblies secured using
a potting compound. Typically, the solenoid assemblies are
mechanically fixtured for alignment and then set into position and
soldered directly to the circuit board of the electronics control
unit, and an elastomeric potting compound is dispensed or injected
around them and cured to secure them in place and seal the
electronic assembly.
Using potting compound to align and secure the solenoid assemblies
is not a preferred type of manufacturing process since the
integrated assembly formed is both non-repairable and the cure oven
process may emit regulated pollutants. Further, potting the
solenoid assemblies requires special manufacturing fixturing and
cure ovens. The potting compound also adds a considerable amount of
weight to an assembly, which is undesirable.
The need exists, then, for easier manufacturing and assembly,
producing a lighter weight integrated assembly, with lower
environmental impact, while meeting all of the requirements of a
repairable solenoid coil assembly for an integrated antilock
braking system.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention avoids the problems associated with potting solenoid
assemblies by providing a simple snap-in assembly procedure having
all of the benefits of potting without all of the unwanted
complications, and by providing a unique and innovative packaging
concept for an integrated antilock braking system.
A self-contained solenoid assembly eliminates the need for sending
solenoid assemblies through a solder oven, a potting cure oven, and
other potential ovens in the electrical and hydraulic control units
assembly processes. This reduces the need for oversized ovens that
would also have to heat the mass of the solenoid assemblies, and
reduces the need for a high temperature plastic for a solenoid coil
housing that would be needed if it were to enter these ovens.
In its embodiments, the present invention contemplates a solenoid
assembly coil pack for use in integrated electronics and hydraulics
assemblies of an automotive antilock brake system. The solenoid
assembly coil pack includes a coil pack housing provided with a
plurality of generally cylindrical bores therethrough and an
attachment means for securing the coil pack to the electronics
assembly. Each bore includes a solenoid retaining member. The
solenoid assembly coil pack also includes a plurality of solenoid
assemblies, each adapted to receive a respective valve and valve
stem of the hydraulics assembly and each received within a
corresponding one of the cylindrical bores. Each solenoid assembly
includes a pair of solenoid lead wires protruding therefrom. A
plurality of retention rings are provided, with one of the rings
cooperatively engaging each of the solenoid assemblies, and with
each retention ring including retention means for removably
engaging the retaining member to removably retain its corresponding
solenoid assembly therein. A plurality of gaskets is provided, with
one of the gaskets mounted between each of the coil pack housings
and its corresponding solenoid assembly, and a sealing means is
adapted for sealing between each coil assembly and associated valve
stem of the hydraulics assembly. An electrical means electrically
connects each of the solenoid lead wires of the solenoid assemblies
to the electronics assembly.
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to create an
antilock brake system that integrates a hydraulic control unit and
solenoid assemblies into an electronic assembly that is easy to
assemble, water tight and provides a good magnetic path, while
eliminating the need for the use of potting compound in this
assembly.
An advantage of the present invention is a lighter weight assembly
that is self aligning and thus easy to assemble. A further
advantage of the present invention is the elimination of
environmentally unfriendly processes used when manufacturing with
potting compounds. A still further advantage of the present
invention is a snap retention feature securing the assemblies
together, yet still allowing for repairability of the solenoid
coils and the overall solenoid coil assembly.
A further advantage of the present invention is that a coil pack
for packaging the solenoid coil assemblies allows for a complete
subassembly of the coil packaging itself while maintaining an
integrated design, which eliminates significant manufacturing
process steps and the need to precess the mass of the solenoid
assemblies through the entire assembly line while assembling the
electronic assembly and hydraulic control unit.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a partially exploded perspective view of a solenoid coil
pack assembly as it mounts to a circuit board and connector;
FIG. 2 is a bottom plan view of a coil pack housing with
leadframes;
FIG. 3 is a side view of a coil pack housing;
FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken generally along tines 4-4 in FIG.
5, showing a solenoid assembly in the coil pack along with a valve
and valve block;
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a solenoid assembly prior to
insertion into a coil pack;
FIG. 6 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 4, showing a first
alternate embodiment of the solenoid assembly;
FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view similar to FIG. 4, taken generally
along lines 7--7 in FIG. 6, showing the first alternate
embodiment;
FIG. 8 is a partially exploded perspective view similar to FIG. 1
showing a second alternate embodiment;
FIG. 9 is a bottom plan view similar to FIG. 2, showing the second
alternate embodiment;
FIG. 10 is a side view similar to FIG. 3, showing the second
alternate embodiment;
FIG. 11 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 4, showing the second
alternate embodiment; and
FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 7, showing a
third alternate embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
FIGS. 1-5 illustrate the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIGS. 2 and 3, in particular, show a coil pack housing 10 without
solenoid assemblies inserted therein. Leadframes 12 are generally
enclosed in the plastic molding of housing 10, preferably integral
with housing 10 by using an insert molding process. Housing 10
includes a plurality of throughbores 14 for receiving solenoid
assemblies. Leadframes 12 are located such that a pair of them
terminate at each generally cylindrical throughbore 14, forming
contact points 16 for each solenoid assembly. The opposite end of
each leadframe 12 terminates inside a blade connector 18, with one
pin 19 for each of the unique coil leads and one or more pins 19
for the common side of the coils. Blade connector 18 connects
leadframes 12 into an electronic circuit, as shown in FIG. 1. In
order to minimize the number of connections, leadframes 12 are
substantially commonized on one side of the solenoid assemblies.
This will reduce the number of electrical connections that need to
be made to a circuit board.
FIG. 1 illustrates a coil pack assembly 20 as it assembles onto a
circuit board 22 of an integrated electronics assembly 24. Coil
pack assembly 20 comprises a set of solenoid coil assemblies 26
removably inserted into cylindrical throughbores 14 in coil pack
housing 10. Each solenoid assembly 26 is mounted in electrical
contact with leadframes 12, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4.
Electronics assembly 24 and coil pack assembly 20 are preferably
assembled separately and then connected together. Circuit board 22
includes circuitry on its underside, not shown. Connected to the
circuitry on circuit board 22 is a coil pack connector 28, which is
integral with a main module connector 30 of electronic assembly 24.
Coil pack connector 28 is soldered to circuit board 22 during
normal processing of electronic assembly 24 and forms the mating
half to blade connector 18. By using coil pack connector 28, all of
the solenoid electrical connections are isolated to a small region
of circuit board 22 rather than having coil leads connected all
over the circuit board, which is preferable since it allows for
greater circuit board utilization and layout flexibility.
After electronic assembly 24 and coil pack assembly 20 are
assembled, coil pack assembly 20 is snapped onto circuit board 22,
by engaging coil pack snap retainers 32, integral with and
protruding from coil pack housing 10, about retention notches 34,
in circuit board 22. As an option, coil pack assembly 20 can be
bolted to circuit board 22 using bolts inserted through holes 36 in
coil pack housing 10 and into holes 37 in circuit board 22. Blade
connector 18 of coil pack assembly 20 plugs into coil pack
connector 28, integrating the solenoid assemblies into the
electronic circuit. By utilizing coil pack assembly 20, which
allows for a complete and separate subassembly of solenoid
assemblies 26 while maintaining an integrated design, the need to
process the mass of solenoid assemblies 26 through the entire
electronic circuit's assembly lines is eliminated. A hydraulic
control unit 38, (shown in FIG. 4) is mounted to coil pack assembly
20, sandwiching coil pack assembly 20 between electronics assembly
24 and hydraulic control unit 38, which integrates hydraulic
control unit 38 into electronics assembly 24.
This overall assembly provides for repairability if a problem
develops with a solenoid assembly 26. An entire coil pack assembly
20 can be unsnapped from electronic assembly 24 and replaced with a
new one, or a single solenoid assembly 26 can be replaced by
unsnapping it after detaching its leads. In designs with potting
material, the entire electronic module would have to be scrapped if
a solenoid assembly develops a problem and needs to be
replaced.
FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-section view through a solenoid assembly
26 as mounted into coil pack housing 10 and mounted to hydraulic
control unit 38, and FIG. 5 illustrates a solenoid assembly 26
before insertion into coil pack housing 10. Hydraulic control unit
38 includes a series of valves 40 with valve stems 42, one for each
solenoid assembly 26. Valve stem 42 extends down through the center
of solenoid assembly 26. Valves 40 are retained in a valve block
44.
Solenoid assembly 26 includes a bobbin 46 with coil windings 48
wrapped around it and a hole 50 through the center of bobbin 46 for
receiving a corresponding valve stem 42. Bobbin 46 and coil 48 are
encapsulated and sealed within a metal can 52. Metal can 52
contains the magnetic flux inside. A gap 53 exists between can 52
and throughbore 14 for alignment of each solenoid assembly 26 to
its corresponding valve stem 42. Gap 53 is designed to allow for
enough side-to-side motion of each solenoid assembly 26 relative to
housing 10 so that each solenoid assembly 26 can account for any
manufacturing tolerances and properly align with its corresponding
valve stem 42.
Bobbin 46 has two coil lead wires 54 that extend out through can
52. Leads 54 connect solenoid assembly 26 to leadframes 12. Each
lead 54 is preferably wire welded to its corresponding leadframe
12, although other attachment methods such as soldering, resistance
welding or direct plug-in are possible. The magnetic connection to
valve block 44 is made by a circuit consisting of coil can 52,
windings 48, valve stem 42, and valve 40.
Mounted to can 52 is a retention ring 58. Protruding from retention
ring 58 are retention snaps 60, each having a barb 62 at its end.
Each cylindrical throughbore 14 in coil pack housing 10 includes an
annular retention wall 64 therein. Solenoid assembly 26 is inserted
and then secured in place by barbs 62 snapping into place to engage
retention wall 64.
An elastomeric or foam gasket 56 is mounted to retention ring 58.
Elastomeric gasket 56 is compressed between solenoid assembly 26
and retention wall 64 of housing 10 when retention snaps 60 are
engaging retention wall 64. Gasket 56 provides two required
features. First, compressed gasket 56 creates a biasing force to
hold solenoid assembly 26 against valve 40 to maintain a continuous
magnetic flux path and to prevent rattle or vibration between the
two. Second, it seals off around the perimeter of solenoid can 52
preventing moisture and other contaminants from passing through gap
53 to electronics circuit board 22.
Mounted in a groove between each bobbin 46 and can 52 is an O-ring
66. Each O-ring 66 is sized to receive a corresponding valve stem
42 and to seal between its corresponding valve stem 42 and hole 50.
The O-rings 66 prevent contaminants from passing down through the
center of the solenoid assembly along valve stems 42 and onto
circuit board 22.
FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of a first alternate embodiment of
a solenoid assembly 80, and FIG. 7 shows a cross-sectional view of
this first alternate embodiment. For purposes of the description of
the later embodiments, elements in these embodiments that have
counterpart elements in the first embodiment have been identified
by the same reference numerals, although a prime has been
added.
Can 52' contains bobbin 46' and coil windings 48' therein. Bobbin
46' has two solderable leads 82 that extend out through can 52'.
Solderable leads 82 connect to corresponding holes 84 in circuit
board 86 and are soldered in place during assembly of coil pack
assembly 88 to the circuitry. A curved compliant bend 90 is put
into each coil lead 82 to take up any resulting force when solenoid
assembly 80 is held against valve 40' by elastomeric gasket 92,
which serves the same purpose as in the first embodiment. This
takes the stress out of the solder joint where coil leads 82 are
soldered into circuit board 86.
Retention ring 94 mounts to can 52' and includes retention snaps 96
protruding therefrom. Retention ring 94 also includes a solenoid
cap 98 that seals around valve stem 42'. Solenoid cap 98 is used in
place of 0-ring 66, shown in FIG. 4 in the first embodiment, to
seal and prevent contaminants from entering the electronics along
valve stem 42'. Guide rails 100 are formed as part of retention
ring 94 in order to assist in orienting each solenoid assembly 80
when assembling it into housing 102. Housing 102 has corresponding
slots, not shown, in each throughbore 104 for mating with guide
rails 100 and aligning solenoid assemblies 80 properly. Solenoid
assemblies 80 are held in place by retention snaps 96, latching
onto retention walls 64 in housing 102, which allows for
repairability as in the first embodiment.
FIGS. 8-11 show a second alternate embodiment of the present
invention. In this embodiment, coil pack connector 114 is not
integral with main module connector 118, but instead is located
directly under coil pack housing 116. Blade connector 120 protrudes
out from the bottom of coil pack housing 116, instead of protruding
from the side of housing 116, and aligns with coil pack connector
114 when mounted on circuit board 24'. Pins 122 are received within
coil pack connector 114 when mounted. Snap retainers 110, protrude
from housing 116, and each forms a catch to engage protrusions 112
on circuit board 24', in order to securely mount coil pack assembly
20' securely to circuit board 24'. Leadframes 124 are molded into
housing 116, and arranged and shaped so that a pair of contact
points 126 protrude into each cylindrical throughbore 14'. The
opposite end of leadframes 124 are electrically connected to blade
connector 120.
Contact points 126 mate up with solenoid lead wires 130 when
solenoid assemblies 128 are mounted in housing 116. This
electrically connects leadframes 124 to solenoid assemblies 128.
Lead wires 130 electrically connect to coil windings 48' and are
supported by bobbin 148, that protrudes through coil can 136 at the
locations where it supports lead wires 130. Retention ring 150 is
only as wide as retention snaps 132 and it is created while
overmolding solenoid assembly 128. Barbs 62' engage retention wall
134 and maintain a compression force on elastomeric gasket 56',
which is mounted between retention wall 134 and coil can 136.
FIG. 12 shows a third alternate embodiment of the present
invention. Solenoid cap 138 is not integral with retention ring
150. It has a generally cylindrical shape with a flat top and is
sized to slide snugly over valve stem 42' in order to seal along
valve stem 42' and prevent contaminants from sliding down along
valve stem 42' and onto circuit board 86'. Compliant bends 144 in
solderable leads 146 are V-shaped in order to provide some give
along the leads, similar to the curved compliant bends 90, shown in
FIG. 7. Solderable leads 146 are supported by bobbin 148, that
protrudes through coil can 136. Retention wall 134, protruding from
housing 140, is engaged by barbs 152 and maintains a compressive
force on gasket 92', which is mounted between retention wall 134
and coil can 136 in order to hold solenoid assembly 142 in
place.
While certain embodiments of the present invention have been
described in detail, those familiar with the art to which this
invention relates will recognize various alternative designs and
embodiments for practicing the invention as defined by the
following claims.
* * * * *